Junior Student Dies After Alleged Assault by Senior Over Food

A 12-year-old student in Akwa Ibom died after allegedly being assaulted by a senior student over refusal to share food, sparking outrage and calls for stricter action against bullying in schools.

There has been widespread outrage and concern following the tragic death of a 12-year-old student, Ufokobong Edwin Godwin, at Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, after he was allegedly assaulted by a senior student over food provisions.

Reports indicate that the incident occurred during the school’s examination period shortly before the Easter holiday. The victim, a junior student, was said to have been approached by a final-year (SS3) student who demanded that he hand over some of his food items. When the younger boy refused, explaining that he did not have enough to share, the situation reportedly escalated into violence.

The senior student allegedly attacked him physically, focusing blows on his neck area. Witnesses claim that the assault was severe, leaving the boy in visible distress. He reportedly collapsed during the attack and lost consciousness multiple times before fellow students stepped in and raised an alarm.

School authorities were alerted, and the victim was rushed to a hospital where he received medical attention for injuries, particularly to his neck. Although he later regained consciousness and appeared to stabilize, the full extent of the damage may not have been immediately clear.

After receiving treatment, the boy was returned to school, and when the term ended for the Easter break, his parents came to take him home. It was gathered that they were not fully informed about the seriousness of the assault, as the incident was allegedly downplayed at the time.

Sadly, the situation took a devastating turn when the boy later died, days after the incident, sparking grief, anger, and shock among parents, students, and the wider community. The tragic outcome has raised serious concerns about student safety, bullying, and supervision within boarding schools.

Many are now calling for a thorough investigation into the incident, demanding that those responsible be held accountable. There are also growing demands for stricter measures to prevent bullying and violence in schools, especially among senior students who may misuse their authority over younger ones.

The incident has further reignited conversations around discipline, student welfare, and the responsibility of school authorities to ensure a safe and protective environment for all students.

READ ALSO: 11-Year-Old Student Dies Amid Bullying Allegations

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, VANGUARD